JP7240165B2 - printing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to printing systems.

Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus having a plurality of rotatable mandrels provided on a mandrel wheel and an inkjet printing station for forming a printed image on at least the body portion of the outer surface of a seamless can attached to the mandrels by inkjet printing. It is

JP 2012-232771 A

2. Description of the Related Art In a printing system for printing on can bodies, there are cases where a movable body that supports the can bodies is moved to process the can bodies.
Here, when the moving body is positioned on a linear moving path, the can bodies are processed, compared to the case where the moving body is positioned on a curved moving path, A decrease in processing accuracy due to the accuracy of the position of the moving object can be suppressed. By the way, if a linear movement path is provided so as to extend in the width direction of the printing system, the area occupied by the printing system becomes large.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to achieve both an improvement in processing accuracy for can bodies and a reduction in the area occupied by a printing system.

A printing system to which the present invention is applied includes a moving body that supports and moves a can body, and an annular moving path that is an annular moving path along which the moving body moves, and the moving body moves in a straight line from above to below. a circular travel path having a straight travel path formed and/or a straight travel path directed from the bottom to the top and formed in a straight line; and image forming means for forming an image.
Here, the linear movement path may be arranged along the vertical direction.
Further, the annular movement path may further include a horizontal movement path extending in the horizontal direction.
Further, when the moving body is positioned on the horizontal moving path, the image forming means can form an image on the can body supported by the moving body.
Further, the horizontal movement path can be characterized in that it extends along the horizontal direction and is formed in a straight line.
Further, the horizontal movement path may be provided in plurality, and may be provided in a state in which they are shifted from each other in the vertical direction.
Further, an upper movement path and a lower movement path are provided as the plurality of horizontal movement paths that are mutually shifted in the vertical direction, and the upper movement path and the lower movement path are parallel to each other. It can be characterized by being arranged.
Further, when the upper movement path and the lower movement path are projected downward in the vertical direction, the upper movement path and the lower movement path may overlap.
Further, an upper movement path and a lower movement path are provided as the plurality of horizontal movement paths that are shifted from each other in the vertical direction. and a processing means for processing the can body supported by the moving body.

Moreover, it can be characterized by further comprising processing means for processing the can body supported by the moving body positioned on the linear movement path.
Further, the processing means may be characterized by inspecting can bodies.
Further, as the linear movement path, a first linear movement path extending downward from above and a second linear movement path extending from bottom to upward are provided. It is characterized in that processing means for processing the can bodies supported by the moving body are provided on both sides of the second linear movement path.
Further, as the linear movement path, a first linear movement path extending downward and a second linear movement path extending from bottom to upward are provided, and the first linear movement path and the second linear movement path are provided. Shaped paths of movement can be characterized as being arranged in a mutually parallel relationship.
Further, the annular movement path can be characterized by being arranged on a plane extending along the vertical direction.
Further, after image formation on the outer surface of the can body is performed by the image forming means, a paint applying means for applying a transparent paint to the outer surface, and before the paint is applied by the paint applying means. (2) inspection means for inspecting the image formed on the outer surface by the image forming means;
Further, the apparatus further comprises a discharge means for discharging from the printing system the can body whose inspection result by the inspection means satisfies a predetermined condition, wherein in the movement direction of the can body, the discharge means is: It can be characterized by being arranged on the upstream side of the coating material applying means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both an improvement in processing precision for can bodies and a reduction in the area occupied by the printing system.

1 is a side view of a printing system; FIG. It is a figure explaining a 1st inspection apparatus. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the printing system; It is a figure explaining a 2nd inspection apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram when the first inkjet head, the second inkjet head, and the moving unit are viewed from the direction of arrow V in FIG. 1;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a printing system 500. FIG.
The printing system 500 is provided with a can supply section 510 to which the cans 10 are supplied. The can bodies 10 are supplied (attached) to the support member 20 that supports the can bodies 10 in the can body supply section 510 .
Specifically, the support member 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the can body 10 is supplied to the support member 20 by inserting the support member 20 into the cylindrical can body 10 .

Further, the printing system 500 is provided with a plurality of moving units 550 as an example of a moving body that moves while supporting the can body 10 .
In this embodiment, the support member 20 that supports the can body 10 is attached to the moving unit 550 , and the can body 10 moves together with the moving unit 550 .

1 shows a case where the moving unit 550 supports one can body 10, but as described later, a plurality of can bodies 10 are placed on the moving unit 550, and one moving unit 550 supports A plurality of can bodies 10 may be supported.
Here, the support member 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is provided so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the can body 10 is supported by the circumferentially rotatable support member 20, so that the can body 10 is also supported in a circumferentially rotatable state.

The can body 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an opening at one end. Further, the other end of the can body 10 is closed, and the other end is provided with a bottom portion 10A. The support member 20 is inserted into the can body 10 through this opening.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, a moving mechanism 560 that functions as moving means for moving the moving unit 550 is provided. The moving mechanism 560 is provided with an annular guide member 561 that guides the moving unit 550 .

Each of the moving units 550 is guided by a guide member 561 and performs circular movement along an annular movement path 732 that is a predetermined annular movement path. Along with this, in the present embodiment, the support member 20 provided on the moving unit 550 also moves along this annular movement path 732 .
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the can body 10 supported by the support member 20 moves along a predetermined annular can body moving path 800 .

The annular movement path 732 (similar to the can body movement path 800) is arranged such that its axial center 800C extends in the horizontal direction. In other words, the can body travel path 800 is arranged around the axial center 800C along the horizontal direction. Here, this axial center 800C extends in a direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG.

Additionally, the annular movement path 732 is arranged on a plane extending along the vertical direction. In other words, the circular travel path 732 is arranged on a plane that extends along the plane of the paper of FIG.
In this embodiment, the support member 20 and the can body 10 revolve around an axial center 800C extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

The annular movement path 732 is provided with a first linear movement path 910 that is linearly formed from top to bottom and a second linear movement path 920 that is linearly formed from bottom to top. there is
Here, the first linear movement path 910 and the second linear movement path 920 are arranged along the vertical direction. In addition, the first linear movement path 910 and the second linear movement path 920 are arranged in parallel with each other.

In this embodiment, two linear movement paths, the first linear movement path 910 and the second linear movement path 920, are provided, but either one of them may be used.
Further, in the present embodiment, the first linear movement path 910 and the second linear movement path 920 are arranged along the vertical direction, but the first linear movement path 910 and the second linear movement path 920 may be provided in a state inclined with respect to the vertical direction.
Moreover, in this embodiment, the total length of the first linear movement path 910 and the total length of the second linear movement path 920 are equal.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first linear movement path 910 and the second linear movement path 920 are positioned horizontally and the second linear movement path 920 is positioned from the side where the first linear movement path 910 is positioned. When projected to the side, the two overlap.
Additionally, in the present embodiment, when the first linear movement path 910 and the second linear movement path 920 are projected horizontally and in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the axial center 800C extends, they overlap each other. It's becoming

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the circular movement path 732 is provided with a horizontal movement path, which is a movement path extending along the horizontal direction.
More specifically, in this embodiment, an upper movement path 930 and a lower movement path 940 are provided as horizontal movement paths. The upper movement path 930 and the lower movement path 940 are provided so as to be shifted from each other in the vertical direction. Further, the upper movement path 930 and the lower movement path 940 extend in the horizontal direction and are formed linearly.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the total length of the upper movement path 930 and the total length of the lower movement path 940 are equal. Also, the upper movement path 930 and the lower movement path 940 are arranged in a parallel relationship.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper movement path 930 is positioned directly above the lower movement path 940, and when the upper movement path 930 and the lower movement path 940 are projected downward in the vertical direction, The upper movement path 930 and the lower movement path 940 overlap each other.

Further, the upper travel path 930 is provided in the uppermost portion of the annular travel path 732 and the lower travel path 940 is provided in the lowermost portion of the annular travel path 732 .
Furthermore, the annular movement path 732 includes a first connection path 950 that connects the upper movement path 930 and the first linear movement path 910 , and a second connection path that connects the first linear movement path 910 and the lower movement path 940 . Two connection paths 960 are provided.

In addition, the annular movement path 732 includes a third connection path 970 that connects the lower movement path 940 and the second linear movement path 920 , and a third connection path 970 that connects the second linear movement path 920 and the upper movement path 930 . 4 connection paths 980 are provided.
Each of the first connection path 950 to the fourth connection path 980 has a curvature and is formed to draw an arc of 1/4 circumference.

Here, the first connection path 950 and the second connection path 960 are formed so as to descend toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the moving unit 550 .
Further, the third connection path 970 and the fourth connection path 980 are formed so as to ascend as they move toward the downstream side in the movement direction of the mobile unit 550 .

In this embodiment, when the mobile unit 550 moves along the first connection path 950 , the first linear movement path 910 , and the second connection path 960 , the mobile unit 550 moves downward.
Further, when the moving unit 550 moves along the third connecting path 970, the second linear moving path 920, and the fourth connecting path 980, the moving unit 550 moves upward.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a first inspection device 92 is provided.
The first inspection device 92 , which is an example of processing means, inspects the can 10 , which is an example of processing for the can 10 supported by the moving unit 550 positioned on the second linear movement path 920 .
Specifically, the first inspection device 92 inspects whether or not the can body 10 is deformed.

More specifically, the first inspection device 92 is provided with a light source 92A as shown in FIG. 2 (a diagram for explaining the first inspection device 92).
The light source 92A is provided on one end side of the can body 10 and emits a laser beam that travels along the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 and along the axial direction of the can body 10 . Furthermore, a light receiving portion 92B for receiving laser light from the light source 92A is provided on the other end side of the can body 10 .

If a part of the can body 10 is deformed as indicated by reference numeral 3A, the laser beam is blocked and the laser beam is not received by the light receiving portion 92B. Thereby, deformation of the can body 10 is detected.
In this embodiment, when the first inspection device 92 determines that the can body 10 does not satisfy the predetermined condition (when it is determined that the can body 10 is deformed), the first 1 discharging mechanism 93 (see FIG. 1) discharges the can body 10 to the outside of the printing system 500 .
Here, the first ejection mechanism 93 is provided on the side of the fourth connection path 980 (on the side and outside the annular movement path 732), and when the movement unit 550 is positioned on the fourth connection path 980, the movement The can body 10 supported by the unit 550 is discharged.

In the first discharge mechanism 93, compressed air is supplied to the inside of the support member 20 formed in a cylindrical shape, and the can body 10 moves in the axial direction (the direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 1).
Further, the bottom portion 10A (closed end portion) of the can body 10 is sucked by a suction member (not shown). The suction member conveys the can 10 to the outside of the printing system 500 and discharges the can 10 to the outside of the printing system 500 .

An inkjet printing unit 700 is provided downstream of the first ejection mechanism 93 .
The inkjet printing unit 700, which is an example of image forming means, uses an inkjet printing method to form an image on the outer surface 10X (peripheral surface) of the can body 10 moved from the upstream side.
In addition, image formation is performed on the can body 10 supported by the moving unit 550 .

In addition, in this embodiment, when the inkjet printing section 700 forms an image, the moving unit 550 sequentially moves toward the inkjet printing section 700 from the upstream side of the inkjet printing section 700 (see arrow 1A).
In this embodiment, image formation is performed by the inkjet printing unit 700 on the can body 10 on the moving unit 550 .

Here, image formation by an inkjet printing method refers to image formation performed by ejecting ink from the inkjet head 11 and adhering the ink to the can body 10 .
A known method can be used for image formation by an inkjet printing method. Specifically, for example, a piezo method, a thermal (bubble) method, a continuous method, or the like can be used.

A light irradiation unit 750 as an example of a curing unit is provided on the downstream side of the inkjet printing unit 700 .
The light irradiation unit 750 includes a light source (not shown) and irradiates light onto the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 on which the image is formed by the inkjet printing unit 700, thereby curing the image formed on the outer surface 10X.

In the inkjet printing unit 700, an image is formed using ultraviolet curable ink. In addition, the inkjet printing unit 700 forms an image using actinic radiation curable ink.
The light irradiation unit 750 irradiates the formed image with light such as ultraviolet rays. This cures the image formed on the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 .

A second inspection device 300 as an example of inspection means for inspecting the image formed on the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 by the inkjet printing unit 700 is provided downstream of the light irradiation unit 750 .
The second inspection device 300 as an example of processing means inspects the can body 10 , which is an example of processing for the can body 10 supported by the moving unit 550 positioned on the first linear movement path 910 .

Here, in the present embodiment, inspection devices (first inspection device 92, second 2 inspection device 300) is provided.
In addition, in the present embodiment, processing means for processing the can bodies 10 are provided on both the side of the first linear movement path 910 and the side of the second linear movement path 920 .

In this way, when the processing means are provided on both sides of the first linear movement path 910 and on the side of the second linear movement path 920, printing is more efficient than when the processing means is provided only on one side. The footprint of system 500 can be further reduced.
Here, for example, if the processing means is provided only on one side and the processing means that was planned to be provided on the other side is provided, for example, on the side of the upper movement path 930, the total length of the upper movement path 930 becomes increases, which in turn increases the dimensions of the printing system 500 in the direction indicated by reference numeral 1E. In this case, the area occupied by the printing system 500 is increased.
On the other hand, when processing means are provided on both the side of the first linear movement path 910 and the side of the second linear movement path 920 as in the present embodiment, the printing system in the direction indicated by reference numeral 1E The size of 500 can be reduced, and the footprint of printing system 500 can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second inspection device 300 is provided upstream of the protective layer forming section 770 (described later) in the moving direction of the can body 10. In the present embodiment, the protective layer forming section 770 An inspection of the image formed on the can body 10 is performed prior to the application of paint to the can body 10 by the .
Further, in this embodiment, the inkjet printing unit 700 and the light irradiation unit 750 are arranged on the side of the upper moving path 930 .

Further, in the moving direction of the can body 10, on the downstream side of the second inspection device 300, a discharging means for discharging the can body 10 located on the can body moving path 800 from the printing system 500 (the can body moving path 800) A second ejection mechanism 400 is provided as an example of the .
The second discharge mechanism 400 discharges from the printing system 500 the can body 10 for which the inspection result by the second inspection device 300 satisfies a predetermined condition. In other words, the second ejecting mechanism 400 ejects so-called defective cans with defects in the formed image from the printing system 500 .

In this embodiment, the second inspection device 300 is provided on the side of the first linear movement path 910, the second ejection mechanism 400 is provided on the side of the lower movement path 940, and the second A second connection path 960 is provided between the inspection device 300 and the second ejection mechanism 400 .
In this embodiment, while the mobile unit 550 is moving along the second connection path 960, the analysis process is performed by the second inspection device 300, and the mobile unit 550 is moving along the second connection path 960. In the meantime, the inspection result by the second inspection device 300 is output.
The same applies to the first inspection device 92. In this embodiment, while the mobile unit 550 is moving along the fourth connection path 980, the analysis processing is performed by the first inspection device 92, and the fourth While the mobile unit 550 is moving along the connection path 980, the inspection result by the first inspection device 92 is output.

In the second discharge mechanism 400, similarly to the first discharge mechanism 93, compressed air is supplied to the inside of the support member 20 formed in a cylindrical shape, and the can body 10 moves in the axial direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1). Moving.
Further, the bottom portion 10A (closed end portion) of the can body 10 is sucked by a suction member (not shown). The suction member conveys the can 10 to the outside of the printing system 500 and discharges the can 10 to the outside of the printing system 500 .
In addition, the can body 10 is conveyed to the outside of the can body moving path 800 , and the can body 10 is discharged to the outside of the can body moving path 800 .

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a protective layer forming section 770 is provided downstream of the second discharge mechanism 400 in the moving direction of the can body 10 .
A protective layer forming unit 770 as an example of a paint application unit applies transparent paint to the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 after image formation on the can body 10 is performed by the inkjet printing unit 700 .

More specifically, the protective layer forming unit 770 brings the roll-shaped member 701 holding paint on its outer peripheral surface into contact with the outer surface 10X of the can body 10, and adheres the transparent paint to the outer surface 10X.
In addition, the protective layer forming section 770 deposits a transparent paint on the image formed by the inkjet printing section 700 to form a transparent layer covering the image. Thereby, a transparent protective layer is formed on the outermost layer of the can body 10 .

A detachment section 780 (can body discharge section) for detaching the can body 10 from the support member 20 is provided on the downstream side of the protective layer forming section 770 .
In the present embodiment, the can body 10 is removed from the support member 20 at the removal section 780 , and the can body 10 is discharged to the outside of the printing system 500 .

Here, in the present embodiment, a second discharging mechanism 400 for processing the cans 10 , a protective layer forming unit 770 , a removing unit 780 , and a can supplying unit 510 are arranged laterally (below) of the lower movement path 940 . is provided.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an inkjet printing unit 700 and a light irradiation unit 750 for processing the can body 10 are also provided on the side (above) of the upper movement path 930 .
In this embodiment, processing means for processing the can bodies 10 are provided on both the side of the upper movement path 930 and the side of the lower movement path 940 .

Here, when a transparent paint is applied on the image after forming the image on the can body 10 as in the present embodiment, the defect of the image that occurred during the formation of the image may become inconspicuous. .
In addition, even if there is a defect such as missing dots in a part of the image formed by the inkjet printing unit 700, when the paint is applied, the defect becomes less noticeable, and the defect becomes the second image. It becomes difficult to be detected by the inspection device 300 .

On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, the second inspection device 300 is provided upstream of the protective layer forming unit 770, and before the protective layer forming unit 770 attaches the paint to the can body 10, When inspecting an image, defects in the image are more likely to be detected.
In addition, if the image is inspected before the protective layer forming unit 770 adheres the paint to the can body 10, the inspection is performed without the paint adhered, so that the image defect can be detected more easily. easier to be

In this embodiment, the image formation on the can body 10 is performed using the inkjet head 11, but the image formation on the can body 10 may be performed using a printing system such as letterpress.
Also in this case (when printing with a plate type), if the image is inspected before the paint is applied as described above, image defects can be detected more easily.

Next, the inkjet printing section 700 will be described.
The inkjet printing unit 700 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged above (on the side of) the upper movement path 930 and forms an image on the can body 10 supported by the movement unit 550 positioned on the upper movement path 930 .
The inkjet printing unit 700 is provided with a plurality of inkjet heads 11 arranged side by side in the horizontal direction in the figure. The portion where the plurality of inkjet heads 11 are provided can be regarded as image forming means for forming an image on the can body 10 .

Specifically, the inkjet printing unit 700 includes a first inkjet head 11C that ejects cyan ink, a second inkjet head 11M that ejects magenta ink, a third inkjet head 11Y that ejects yellow ink, and a black inkjet head 11Y. A fourth inkjet head 11K for ejecting ink is provided.
In the following description, the first to fourth inkjet heads 11C to 11K are simply referred to as "inkjet heads 11" when they are not distinguished from each other.

In the present embodiment, the case where four inkjet heads 11 are provided is exemplified. 11 may be further provided.

Here, the four inkjet heads 11, ie, the first inkjet head 11C to the fourth inkjet head 11K, form an image on the can body 10 using ultraviolet curable ink.
Further, in the present embodiment, the can 10 moves in a lying state (the can 10 moves in a state in which the axial direction of the can 10 is horizontal), and a part of the outer surface 10X of the can 10 is , pointing upwards in the vertical direction.
In the present embodiment, ink is ejected downward from above the outer surface 10X to form an image on the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 .

Further, in the present embodiment, the moving unit 550 stops below each inkjet head 11, ink is ejected onto the can body 10 on the moving unit 550, and image formation on the can body 10 is performed. .
In this embodiment, when the image formation on the can body 10 is completed, the moving unit 550 moves toward the inkjet head 11 positioned one downstream, and the inkjet head 11 moves the image onto the can body 10 . image formation is further performed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the four inkjet heads 11 are arranged in a row in the moving direction of the can body 10 . Moreover, each of the four inkjet heads 11 is arranged along a direction perpendicular to (crossing) the moving direction of the can body 10 .
In the present embodiment, while the can 10 passes below the four inkjet heads 11, ink is ejected from above onto the can 10, forming an image on the can 10. FIG.

More specifically, in this embodiment, the moving unit 550 stops at each installation location of the plurality of inkjet heads 11 .
Each inkjet head 11 ejects ink onto the can body 10 to form an image on the can body 10 . In addition, when image formation is performed by each inkjet head 11, the can body 10 rotates in the circumferential direction.

Each moving unit 550, which is an example of a moving body, moves at a predetermined moving speed.
In addition, each of the moving units 550 includes a can supply section 510, a first inspection device 92, a first discharge mechanism 93, each inkjet head 11, a light irradiation section 750, a second inspection device 300, a second discharge mechanism 400, a protection It stops at each of the layer forming section 770 and the removing section 780 .

In addition, at installation locations such as the first inspection device 92, each inkjet head 11, the light irradiation unit 750, the second inspection device 300, and the protective layer forming unit 770, the can body 10 on the moving unit 550 is rotated by a predetermined rotation. Circumferential rotation at speed.
Further, in the printing system 500 of the present embodiment, more moving units 550 than the number of can bodies 10 positioned in the printing system 500 are installed. Further, the movement unit 550 moves around the axial center 800C.

The moving mechanism 560 is provided with an annular guide member 561 that guides the moving unit 550 . An electromagnet (not shown) is provided inside the guide member 561 .
Further, a permanent magnet (not shown) is installed in the moving unit 550 .
In this embodiment, a linear mechanism is used to move the moving unit 550 .

More specifically, the printing system 500 of the present embodiment is provided with a control unit 900 , and the control unit 900 controls energization of the electromagnets described above to generate a magnetic field and control each of the moving units 550 to move. Note that the control unit 900 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that is program-controlled.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the moving unit 550 is provided with a base portion 551 guided by a guide member 561 . A permanent magnet (not shown) is installed on the pedestal portion 551 .
In the present embodiment, the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet provided on the guide member 561 and the permanent magnet provided on the pedestal portion 551 of the moving unit 550 generate a propulsion force on the moving unit 550, and the moving unit 550 moves to the annular position. Move along the movement path 732 .

The moving unit 550 of the present embodiment is provided with a cylindrical support member 20 for supporting the can body 10 and a fixing member (not shown) for fixing the support member 20 to the pedestal portion 551 .
The support member 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape, is inserted into the can body 10 through an opening formed in the can body 10 , and supports the can body 10 . Further, the support member 20 is arranged in a lying state (horizontal direction). Thereby, in this embodiment, the can body 10 is also laid down.
In this embodiment, when the can body 10 reaches each inkjet head 11 , ink is discharged from each inkjet head 11 to the can body 10 positioned below. Thereby, an image is formed on the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 .

The light irradiation unit 750 is arranged downstream of the inkjet printing unit 700 and irradiates the can body 10 with ultraviolet light, which is an example of light. As a result, the image formed on the outer surface (peripheral surface) 10X of the can body 10 (the image formed by the inkjet printing unit 700) is cured.
Note that thermosetting ink may be used to form an image on the can body 10. In this case, for example, a heat source instead of a light source is installed where the light irradiation unit 750 is provided.

In this embodiment, the moving unit 550 stops each time it reaches below each inkjet head 11 . In other words, mobile unit 550 stops at each of the predetermined stop locations.
Then, in the present embodiment, an image is formed on the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 held by the moving unit 550 stopped at the predetermined stop position by the inkjet head 11 as an example of the image forming means. be done.

More specifically, at each installation location of the inkjet head 11, ink is ejected from the inkjet head 11 while the support member 20 (can body 10) is rotating in the circumferential direction. An image is formed on the outer surface 10X of 10 .
In the present embodiment, when the support member 20 rotates 360° after ink ejection is started, ink ejection stops. As a result, an image is formed on the entire area of the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 in the circumferential direction.

In this embodiment, the support member 20 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged along a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. In other words, the support member 20 is arranged to extend along the horizontal direction.
In addition, the support member 20 is arranged along a direction perpendicular to (crossing) the moving direction of the moving unit 550 .

Further, in this embodiment, the inkjet head 11 is positioned above the can body 10, and ink is ejected onto the can body 10 from above.
In this case, compared to the case where the inkjet head 11 is arranged on the side of the can body 10 or below the can body 10, the influence of gravity acting on the ink droplets ejected from the inkjet head 11 can be reduced. The accuracy of the ink adhesion position on the body 10 can be improved.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, an inkjet printing unit 700 (a plurality of inkjet heads 11) is provided on the side (above) of the upper movement path 930 (horizontal movement path).
As a result, compared to the case where the inkjet printing unit 700 (the plurality of inkjet heads 11) is provided on the side of the curved portion (for example, a path having a curvature such as the first connection path 950 to the fourth connection path 980) , it becomes easier to improve the quality of the image formed on the can body 10 .

Here, when the inkjet head 11 is provided on the side of the curved portion, for example, as shown in FIG. It becomes different for each head 11 .
In this case, compared to the case where the postures of the inkjet heads 11 are uniform, the quality of the images formed tends to be degraded, such as misalignment between images formed by the inkjet heads 11 .

In contrast, if the inkjet printing unit 700 is provided on the side of the linear portion (upper movement path 930 (horizontal direction movement path)) as in the present embodiment, the orientations of the plurality of inkjet heads 11 can be easily aligned. , the deterioration of the quality of the formed image can be suppressed.
In addition, in this embodiment, when the moving unit 550 is positioned on the horizontal movement path, the inkjet printing unit 700, which is the image forming means, forms an image on the can body 10. In this case, It becomes easy to suppress deterioration in the quality of the formed image.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the second inspection device 300. As shown in FIG.
The second inspection device 300 of the present embodiment is provided with a photographing device 310 as an example of photographing means for photographing an image formed on the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 .
The photographing device 310 includes, for example, a photographing element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). Further, the second inspection apparatus 300 is provided with a light source 320 that emits the light with which the can body 10 is irradiated.

The second inspection device 300 analyzes the image obtained by the photographing device 310 and inspects the image formed on the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 .
More specifically, for example, the second inspection device 300 compares the image obtained by the imaging device 310 with a pre-registered reference image, so that the image formed on the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 is Inspect for defects.

Here, in this embodiment, when the moving unit 550 is positioned on the linearly formed first linear moving path 910, the photographing device 310 is used to image the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 on the moving unit 550. Take an image formed on the
Additionally, in this embodiment, when the moving unit 550 is positioned on the first linear moving path 910, the image formed on the outer surface 10X of the can body 10 is inspected by the second inspection device 300.
As a result, in the present embodiment, when the can body 10 is positioned in the first connection path 950 or the like having a curvature, the image of the can body 10 is reduced compared to the case where the can body 10 is inspected (the can body 10 is photographed). can improve the accuracy of the inspection of

Here, the accuracy of the stop position of the moving unit 550 (the can body 10) is likely to be lowered in the curved portion of the circular moving path 732 .
In this case, the position of the can body 10 tends to vary when the image of the can body 10 is captured using the imaging device 310, and this variation tends to cause deterioration in image inspection accuracy.
On the other hand, when the can 10 is inspected (photographed) while the can 10 is positioned on the first linear movement path 910 as in the present embodiment, variations in the position of the can 10 occur. This makes it easier to improve the accuracy of inspection of the image of the can body 10.例文帳に追加

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the second discharging mechanism 400 as an example of the discharging means is located upstream of the protective layer forming portion 770 as an example of the paint adhering means in the movement direction of the can body 10. placed on the side.
Accordingly, in this embodiment, defective cans are ejected from the printing system 500 before coating is applied. In this case, the amount of paint to be used can be reduced compared to the case where even defective cans are coated with paint.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second inspection device 300 inspects the image after curing by the light irradiation unit 750 and before the paint adheres to the image.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the second inspection device 300 is arranged downstream of the light irradiation unit 750 and upstream of the protective layer forming unit 770 in the moving direction of the can body 10 . The image is inspected before it is cured with a coating and the paint is applied to the surface.

Here, if the image is inspected before the image is cured, the image may change after the inspection, and the state of the image may change. Further, when the image is inspected after the paint has been applied to the surface of the image, as described above, image defects occurring during image formation become less conspicuous and are less likely to be detected.
On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, if an image is inspected before curing by the light irradiator 750 and before the paint is applied to the surface thereof, it is possible to suppress the image from changing after the inspection, and furthermore. , it becomes possible to more accurately detect defects occurring in the image.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first linear movement path 910 and the second linear movement path 920 are arranged along the vertical direction. and the reduction of the area occupied by the printing system 500 are both achieved.
Here, when the moving unit 550 is positioned on a linear moving path such as the first linear moving path 910 and the second linear moving path 920, when processing the can body 10, the moving unit Compared to the case where the can body 10 is processed while the unit 550 is positioned on a moving path having a curvature, a decrease in processing accuracy due to the positional accuracy of the moving unit 550 can be suppressed.

For this reason, it is preferable to perform processing on the can body 10 when the moving unit 550 is positioned on the linear moving path.
Here, in the present embodiment, an upper movement path 930 and a lower movement path 940 are also provided as linear movement paths. A mode in which the device 92 and the second inspection device 300 are provided is also conceivable.

By the way, in this case, the dimension of the printing system 500 in the direction indicated by reference numeral 1E is increased, and the area occupied by the printing system 500 tends to be increased.
On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, the first inspection device 92 and the second inspection device 300 are provided on the side of the first linear movement path 910 and the second linear movement path 920 extending in the vertical direction. As a result, the dimension of the printing system 500 in the direction indicated by reference numeral 1E can be reduced (the area occupied by the printing system 500 can be reduced) while suppressing deterioration in inspection accuracy.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, processing means for processing the can body 10 is provided on both the side of the first linear movement path 910 and the side of the second linear movement path 920. there is
Specifically, the second inspection device 300 is provided on the side of the first linear movement path 910 , and the first inspection device 92 is provided on the side of the second linear movement path 920 .

Here, for example, there is also a mode in which processing means such as the first inspection device 92 is not provided on the side of the second linear movement path 920, and processing means is provided only on the side of the first linear movement path 910. Conceivable. In addition, it is also conceivable to provide the processing means only on one of the sides of each of the two linear movement paths.

By the way, in this case, the processing means that was planned to be provided on the other side becomes, for example, provided on the side of the upper movement path 930. In this case, the total length of the upper movement path 930 becomes large, Accordingly, the area occupied by the printing system 500 tends to increase.
On the other hand, if the processing means are provided on both the side of the first linear movement path 910 and the side of the second linear movement path 920 as in the present embodiment, only one side will be processed. The area occupied by the printing system 500 can be reduced compared to the case where the means is provided.

FIG. 5 is a view of the first inkjet head 11C, the second inkjet head 11M, and the moving unit 550 viewed from the direction of arrow V in FIG.
Note that FIG. 5 omits illustration of the moving unit 550 positioned directly below the second inkjet head 11M.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a servomotor M as an example of a drive source for rotating the can body 10 is provided at each stop point P where the moving unit 550 stops. is provided.
In addition, a servomotor M for rotating the can body 10 supported by the moving unit 550 is provided beside the annular moving path 732 of the moving unit 550 .

In this embodiment, the drive source (servo motor M) for rotating the can body 10 is not provided in the moving unit 550, but is provided in the main body of the printing system 500. FIG.
In addition, in this embodiment, the drive source for rotating the can body 10 is not provided in the moving unit 550, but is provided at a location separate from the moving unit 550. FIG.
This reduces the weight of the moving unit 550 and reduces the shaking of the printing system 500 caused by the movement of the moving unit 550 .

Here, if the moving unit 550 is provided with a drive source and the weight of the moving unit 550 is large, the printing system 500 tends to shake greatly when the moving unit 550 stops or the like. In this case, the inkjet head 11 or the like shakes, which tends to cause deterioration in image quality.
On the other hand, in the configuration in which the drive source is provided on the main body side of the printing system 500 as in the present embodiment, the weight of the moving unit 550 is reduced, and the shaking of the printing system 500 when the moving unit 550 is stopped or the like is prevented. becomes smaller.

As shown in FIG. 5, the moving unit 550 is provided with a pedestal portion 551 .
Furthermore, two can bodies 10 are provided on the pedestal portion 551 . A support member 20 is inserted into each of the can bodies 10 , and the can bodies 10 are supported by the support members 20 . In this embodiment, a case where two can bodies 10 are provided in one moving unit 550 will be described as an example, but three or more can bodies 10 can be installed in one moving unit 550. may

Further, the moving unit 550 is provided with a transmission shaft 555 for transmitting the rotational driving force to the can body 10. In this embodiment, the rotational driving force from the servo motor M is transmitted to the can body 10 via the transmission shaft 555. 10.
More specifically, in this embodiment, a rotating gear 556 is provided that contacts each of the support members 20 and rotates the support members 20 .
The rotary gear 556 is rotated by the transmission shaft 555 to rotate the can body 10 in the circumferential direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the two can bodies 10 provided in each of the moving units 550 rotate in the same direction.

Here, in the present embodiment, transmission of driving force from the servomotor M, which is the driving source, to the moving unit 550 is performed by a so-called magnetic coupling.
Specifically, in this embodiment, a driving source side rotating body 581 that is rotated by the servomotor M is provided on the side of the servomotor M (on the main body side of the printing system 500).

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a moving body side rotating body 582 arranged coaxially with the transmission shaft 555 is provided on the moving unit 550 side.
In this embodiment, the can body 10 is rotated by transmitting the driving force from the drive source side rotating body 581 to the moving body side rotating body 582 .

More specifically, in this embodiment, magnetic force is used to rotate the moving body side rotating body 582 in synchronism with the driving source side rotating body 581 , so that the moving body side rotating body 582 rotates from the driving source side rotating body 581 to the moving body side rotating body 582 . A driving force is transmitted.
In addition, in this embodiment, one or both of the drive source side rotating body 581 and the moving body side rotating body 582 are provided with magnets, and the other side is provided with a body to be attracted by the magnets.

As a result, in this embodiment, the magnetic force generated by the magnet is used to rotate the moving body side rotating body 582 in synchronization with the drive source side rotating body 581 .
In this embodiment, when the moving body side rotating body 582 rotates, the transmission shaft 555 rotates accordingly, and the can body 10 rotates in the circumferential direction.

In the present embodiment, when the driving force is transmitted from the drive source side rotating body 581 to the moving body side rotating body 582 (when the moving unit 550 is stopped at the stop point P), as shown in FIG. A source-side rotating body 581 and a moving-body-side rotating body 582 are arranged to face each other.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, at this time, the driving source side rotating body 581 and the moving body side rotating body 582 are arranged in a non-contact state.
Here, in the case of non-contact in this way, the displacement of the moving unit 550 due to the contact between the driving source side rotating body 581 and the moving body side rotating body 582 is suppressed, and the image resulting from the displacement of the moving unit 550 is suppressed. The deviation of the formation position is suppressed.

[others]
In the above description, the moving unit 550 is moved using a so-called linear mechanism, but the movement of the moving unit 550 is not limited to the linear mechanism. may be attached and this endless member may be moved in a circular motion.
Further, for example, each of the moving units 550 may be provided with a drive source such as a motor for moving the moving units 550 so that the moving units 550 move autonomously.

Further, in the above description, the case where the drive source (servo motor M) is provided at the installation location of the inkjet head 11 is shown. 750 , second inspection device 300 , protective layer forming section 770 , and other locations.
In this embodiment, the can body 10 is also rotated by a drive source provided separately from the moving unit 550 at other locations.

In the above description, the case where the driving source side rotating body 581 and the moving body side rotating body 582 are arranged in a non-contact state has been described as an example. The driving force may be supplied to the can body 10 through the driving source side rotating body 581 and the moving body side rotating body 582 which are in contact with each other.
In the above description, the drive source (servo motor M) for rotating the can body 10 is provided at a location other than the moving unit 550. However, the drive source for rotating the can body 10 is provided at the moving unit 550. may

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Can body, 500... Printing system, 550... Movement unit, 700... Ink jet printing part, 732... Circular movement path

Claims (13)

a moving body that supports and moves the can body;
A circular movement path that is a circular movement path along which the moving body moves, and a horizontal movement path that is a movement path that extends along the horizontal direction, and a straight line that is connected to the horizontal movement path and extends from above to below. A first linear movement path through which the moving body moves from top to bottom and is linearly shaped and connected to the horizontal movement path from bottom to top, and the moving body moves from bottom to top. a circular path of travel having a second linear path of travel therethrough;
image forming means arranged on the side of the horizontal movement path and performing image formation on the can body supported by the moving body positioned on the horizontal movement path;
Pre-formation inspection means for inspecting the can body, which is provided on the side of the second linear movement path and is supported by the moving body, before the image is formed by the image forming means. and,
A post-formation inspection for inspecting a can body which is provided on the side of the first linear movement path and supported by the moving body after an image has been formed by the image forming means. means and
with
The pre-formation inspection means and the post-formation inspection means are provided as can body inspection means for inspecting the can body, and a plurality of the can body inspection means are provided as the can body inspection means,
The can body inspection means is not provided on the side of the horizontal movement path, but is provided on the side of the first linear movement path and the side of the second linear movement path. printing system. The circular movement path is provided with a connection path that has a curvature and bulges outward from the circular movement path and connects an upper end portion of the second linear movement path and the horizontal movement path,
Further comprising a discharge means for discharging from the printing system a can body whose inspection result by the pre-formation inspection means satisfies a predetermined condition,
2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein said ejection means is provided on the side of said connecting path having a curvature. 2. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the first linear movement path and the second linear movement path are arranged along a vertical direction. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming means forms an image on a can body supported by the moving body when the moving body is positioned on the horizontal moving path. 2. A printing system according to claim 1, wherein said horizontal movement path extends in the horizontal direction and is formed in a straight line. A lower movement path extending along the horizontal direction below the upper movement path, which is the horizontal movement path located above, and passing the moving body from the first linear movement path to the second linear movement path. 2. The printing system of claim 1, further comprising: 7. The printing system of claim 6, wherein the upper travel path and the lower travel path are arranged in a parallel relationship. 8. The printing system according to claim 7, wherein when the upper movement path and the lower movement path are projected vertically downward, the upper movement path and the lower movement path overlap. 7. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein processing means for processing the can bodies supported by the movable body are provided on both sides of the upper movement path and on the sides of the lower movement path. . 2. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the first linear path of motion and the second linear path of motion are arranged in parallel relationship to each other. 2. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the circular travel path is arranged on a plane extending along a vertical direction. The image forming means forms an image on the outer surface of the can body,
The post-formation inspection means inspects the image formed on the outer surface by the image forming means,
After the image formation on the outer surface of the can body is performed by the image forming means, it further comprises a paint applying means for applying a transparent paint to the outer surface,
2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the image formed on the outer surface is inspected by the post-formation inspection means before the coating is applied by the coating application means. Further comprising a discharge means for discharging from the printing system the can body whose inspection result by the post-formation inspection means satisfies a predetermined condition,
13. The printing system according to claim 12, wherein the discharge means is arranged upstream of the paint application means in the moving direction of the can body.

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